The Montana Dirt 501

[rebelpacket]

Hey guys... been awhile... mainly because I'm no longer in the North East... Did a pretty sweet ride last weekend though, and figured some of you might enjoy some of the photos. Maybe even might convince some of you that the big sky is worthy of a trip with some trailers for some real sweet moto action.

The Plan: L-Train, Rebelpacket, an XR600R, a KTM 625 SXC and 500 miles
of unexplored dirt roads. Leave Friday evening, come home Sunday evening.

The Prep:
Ultra-Minimalist Camping protocol. We packed only what we'd absolutely need. Some instant food, aluminum foil to cook in, metal cups to drink/cook in, sporks, big knifes for cutting things, trowels and metal files to dig shit-holes with, tarps in case of rain, tools and tubes. Our only luxury item was flip-flops. After a day in moto-boots, sometimes you need to let the feet air out.







Whoops


Rip it up.




One of America's 50 best bars.


First camp.


Morning.


On the way down.


Still got snow up high.


Throw the horns where applicable.




Horns in motion.


Rain bad.


Huge cinnamon roll, good!


Second camp.




If you can't cook it in aluminum foil, it can't be cooked.



Good morning.


Rails 2 Trails


Human trail fuel


Swimming anyone?


Thats a nice hill. Lets go up it.


Sweet trails.


Better views.


Top of the world.


"Slabbing" it home.


500 miles of dirt. Three days. A ride never to forget.

[Paul_E_D]

Yeah Rebel! Post of the year. Nice to hear from you. Am I jealous? Uh-huh. Rock on.

[Rambunctous]

Big Sky country.

[Sheppo]

I too am jealous !!!! VERY NICE!

[typeone]

in!

[R7]

Awesome pictures and report
The bike tents are cool as well, what a quick and easy idea

[burnham]

well done!

[BMFR6]

fuckin awesome alex! seems like you like it up there, incredible country huh. dont be a stranger around here man!

[out thumped]

That's Livin!!!!

[tls25rs]

Looks like a blast in some beautiful country!

As others have said, don't be a stranger around here it's great to hear from you.

Joel

[seth399]

wow thats sick man

[rebelpacket]

Thanks for all the compliments guys. Was a great trip.

We're planning a 7 day ride next through parts of the "Idaho Playground" and maybe even up into British Columbia. These bikes really can go the distance, and are an absolute joy to ride when it gets tighter. We've seen many guys on GS's and other "big adventure bikes" toppled over and out of commission.

Whats amazing, is how very little you need to bring. We had mildly loaded packs, and basic stuff lashed to the back. My buddy L-Train just hot-knifed his fender and put straps through it without a problem. With just the stuff we brought you can go almost anywhere.

Just have to look out for the bears.

[typeone]

yeah, i was going to ask if any animals messed with your Hobo Meal scraps in the middle of the night. i'm assuming you took the foil with you, lotta tasty scent on that stuff i'm sure.

[BMFR6]

haha. so i have real good friend from the marines that i haven't seen in a long time... i think he is around the Havre right now.

so.
1) how close are you to Havre? (yes i know i could look at a map. yes i know distance is relative up there, i've been to his hometown of Scobey twice, flew into billings each time. So in essence i've seen a decent amount of the state I'm just too lazy to look up a map).
2) anywhere near by i could get a bike for a bit?



(OT) funny story. lived just outside of worcester, ma my whole life (except the marines) and never been robbed. i landed in billings and was there for about 4 hrs, buddies car was broken into and my "carry on" (yes, that small bag you take on the plane that you keep all the important shit in) was stolen. broken glass and all. spend my whole life surrounded by assholes and i have to fly into montana to get robbed. FML.

[Paul_E_D]

yeah, i was going to ask if any animals messed with your Hobo Meal scraps in the middle of the night. i'm assuming you took the foil with you, lotta tasty scent on that stuff i'm sure.

You ain't kiddin. I could smell that from here!

[Daytona440]

Alex,
that looks like an amazing trip. I'm determined to make it out there someday so you can show me around!

Really happy for you. Looks like you are living the dream out there!

[rebelpacket]

1) how close are you to Havre? (yes i know i could look at a map. yes i know distance is relative up there, i've been to his hometown of Scobey twice, flew into billings each time. So in essence i've seen a decent amount of the state I'm just too lazy to look up a map).
2) anywhere near by i could get a bike for a bit?

1.) Havre is about 4-6 hours from the Bozeman Area.
2.) There are several options. I know there is a place you can rent XR650's and such from nearby. L-Train (the buddy I did this ride with) has a KLR650 that he'd probably loan you to use. Its not the best trail bike, but it does damn near everything.

(OT) funny story. lived just outside of worcester, ma my whole life (except the marines) and never been robbed. i landed in billings and was there for about 4 hrs, buddies car was broken into and my "carry on" (yes, that small bag you take on the plane that you keep all the important shit in) was stolen. broken glass and all. spend my whole life surrounded by assholes and i have to fly into montana to get robbed. FML.

Dude, Billings is one of the two biggest shit-holes in Montana. Butte is pretty haggard, because it used to be a mining town, and there isn't much industry left in it. Billings is about the same way. The rest of MT isn't at all like that. The kind of place where people park their bikes downtown with the keys still in them, and don't bother tying their dogs up outside, they just come into the bar/store with them.

Paul, Clinton: After our tasty "Hobo Meal" (I like that description), we burned off the foil juices in the fire, put them in a plastic bag, and then into the wet "food" bag. We kept the food bag away from our campsite. Bears are quite a problem out here. I've seen a few eating garbage on the side of the highway.